Michael van Gerwen in action during his third round match against Gary Anderson at the World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace. Photograph: Harry Engels/Getty

DARTS

Michael van Gerwen avoided a shock exit from the PDC World Championships by edging a thrilling encounter with Gary Anderson to progress to the quarter-finals at Alexandra Palace. The Dutchman needed seven sets to book his place alongside Mark Webster in the last eight after the 2011 finalist Anderson pulled two sets clear by hitting double one with a high-pressure third dart in the fourth set. Van Gerwen rallied to force a deciding set and finally squeezed over the line to win 4-3 by hitting a brilliant 174 before closing on double eight at the first attempt. After keeping his hopes of winning a first world title alive, the 24-year-old said: "I'm delighted with the way I came back to win this really tough game. I was very disappointed not to win the fourth set to level at two all, but I never lost belief that I couldn't make a comeback and win. It's a great feeling to be involved in brilliant fast-flowing games like this, and the crowd added to it by making a great atmosphere." PA

TENNIS

Victoria Azarenka beat the top-ranked Serena Williams in straight sets in an exhibition match in Thailand between the world's top two women's players.The second-ranked Azarenka defeated Williams 7-5, 6-3 in front of some 3,000 fans at the Hua Hin World Tennis Invitation in a match both players used as a warm-up for the Australian Open. Azarenka broke for a 6-5 lead in the first set and broke twice in the second for her second victory at the exhibition event, having also won in 2011. Williams beat Azarenka in the US Open final this year. AP